Hormones….a loaded and controversial topic. In discussing hormone replacement therapy it is imperative to set some groundwork because not all hormone replacements are created equal!!
When discussing hormone replacement therapy (HRT) we must establish the difference between synthetic and bioidentical hormones. Bioidentical hormones are man-made hormones that are identical on a molecular level with the hormones that we naturally make in our bodies. On a pharmaceutical level, one can not patent the way the body works, hence it is not prudent for big pharma to invest in bio-identical hormones because it would not be a good return on their investment.
On the other hand, if a pharmaceutical company can “tweak” a few molecules–that formula can be patented and be quite lucrative. Thus the lore and push to teach about synthetic hormones. Too commonly, even within the medical community, people extrapolate synthetic hormones to be the same as bio-identical. In fact, the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) demonstrated a risk of breast cancer with hormone use. Guess what?..the patients in that study were given Premarin (pregnant mare urine) and Provera (medroxyprogesterone), a synthetic estrogen and synthetic progesterone. NOT bioidentical hormones. Yet, everyone applies this finding to both types of hormone replacement. BHRT ( bioidentical hormone replacement therapy)
Let me ask you, if we are putting back in what you had– but no longer have, how can our own hormones be dangerous? If they were, wouldn’t we all be sick in our 20’s when our hormones were at their maximum levels? Please do misunderstand, an imbalance in some of our hormones–at any age– can cause unwanted symptoms or issues. Which is why hormone replacement therapy can help.
Now I ask you to look around at our aging population. What do they have in common? They all lack hormones. The medical literature proves that as our hormones decrease, our risk for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases increase including dementia and nevermind osteoporosis. SO I ask you, what is the risk of not doing something?
The thyroid is a metabolic hormone that is secreted by the thyroid. In mainstream western medicine, we are taught to screen or check if the thyroid is within normal limits. If it is within the designated range, then the thyroid is dismissed as the cause of a patient’s symptoms.
The thyroid has a myriad of functions that include regulating;
- Body temperature
- Energy
- Metabolism
- Brain function
When the thyroid levels are optimal the advantages are truly life-changing for patients.
- Breaks down fat (resulting in weight loss)
- Lowers cholesterol
- Improves mental clarity and memory
- Added energy
- Improves depression
- Increases hair and nail growth
